The Faces of This Chapter:
Yena: a young woman carrying the weight of a hidden past | Strong-willed, intelligent, and resilient
Miao Miao: yena's childhood best friend | a flower spirit | Cute, playful, and caring
Jin Yue: A charismatic and intelligent young man with an air of mystery | Confident, protective, and quick-witted
Master Smith: Artificer and Weaponsmith, Last in lineage of the famous Tang family[1] | A quiet, serious man with a heavy past
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Scene: Ironwood Artifact House[2]
Jin Yue tilted his head, looking up at the Artificer with a persuasive pout. "But what's the problem, sir?" he asked, his voice laced with innocent charm. "You made one for me... They are my friends," he added, almost pleading. "Please, just this once. Help me out."
The Artificer exhaled slowly, his tone edged with reluctance. "I made your whip because you are—"
Jin Yue cut him off, his persistence unwavering. "Then please, just this once. They mean a lot to me."
The Artificer let out a deep sigh, heavier than before, as though weary of the conversation. Shaking his head, he turned away and resumed tidying his shop.
Outside, Yena and Miao Miao waited, as Jin Yue had asked them to. Since the Artificer was difficult to negotiate with, he wanted to speak with him alone first. But as time stretched on and Jin Yue didn't return, they exchanged glances before stepping inside.
The Artificer, engrossed in his work, assumed them to be new customers. Without looking up, he greeted them out of habit. "Welcome—" His voice trailed off as he took a proper look at them.
Jin Yue brightened. "They're my friends. This is Yena, and she is Miao Miao."
Both girls greeted the Artificer with a respectful bow. However, sensing their intent, But sensing their intent, he immediately busied himself with his work, pretending not to hear them.
Noticing the Artificer's deliberate attempt to ignore them, Jin Yue smirked and raised his voice slightly, turning to Miao Miao. "You know, Miao Miao, he is the last of the prestigious Tang family—the master smiths who forged weapons for Fenixia's royal army for thousands of years."
The Artificer, who had been listening intently despite himself, suddenly stilled. His hands, which had been busy polishing an artifact, froze mid-motion. His gaze flickered toward Jin Yue, his expression tightening—not with anger, but with unease.
"You shouldn't say that out loud, my—" He caught himself, his voice lowering instinctively.
Jin Yue, ever the playful one, cut in before he could finish. "Don't be mad. I told them because they're also from the province of Fenixia."
The artificer hesitated for a fraction of a second before his eyes shifted to Yena and Miao Miao, studying them more carefully. His gaze lingered on Yena, something unreadable flickering across his face.
In a hushed, almost uncertain voice—low enough that the others wouldn't hear—he murmured, "So that's why… You have that same glow. You look just like…"
Jin Yue waved a hand in front of the artificer's eyes, snapping him out of his trance. "Uncle... I know you don't forge weapons anymore and have shifted to crafting artifacts, but please, help us out this one time."
Yena hesitated before speaking. "Forgive me if I overstep…may I ask why did you stop weapon-forging? Her voice was careful, respectful. "The Tang family was the most revered lineage of weaponsmiths in Fenixia. It is an honor to even meet someone of your caliber."
Miao Miao, ever the curious one, added politely, "Wasn't the lineage lost a long time ago? How come you're here?"
The weaponsmith exhaled slowly, his gaze flickering toward Yena once more. "It's rare to see a Fenixian here," he said.
["And someone of your status…"] he thought.
Without another word, he turned and motioned for them to follow him into a hidden chamber, inside the shop. Once inside, he spoke in a low, measured tone. "My family stopped making weapons a long time ago. It's a secret that I am even here in Huliya." His eyes flickered with something unreadable. "Some stories are best left undisturbed."
A brief silence filled the room before he changed the subject. "You're looking for a whip as your spirit weapon? May I ask why?"
Yena, still caught up in his earlier words, nodded absentmindedly. "I… I don't really know. I just feel drawn to it. There's something about it that fascinates me."
The Artificer studied her for a long moment, then turned to a heavy iron safe, unlocking it carefully. From within, he retrieved a long wooden box, its edges worn with age yet still holding an air of reverence. He placed it in Yena's hands.
"This," he said solemnly, "is the last weapon forged by my father. I'm entrusting it to you."
Yena hesitated, her fingers barely brushing against the lid. "I… I may not be worthy of such a weapon of immense significance."
The Artificer smirked slightly. "How would you know, before even trying? Believe me, you were meant to wield it."
Impatient as always, Miao Miao leaned forward, eyes wide with curiosity, and carefully lifted the lid.
Inside lay a whip unlike any they had seen before. Its rope shimmered in the dim light, woven with silvery-blue thorns that exuded a quiet but deadly elegance. The handle, smooth yet sturdy, was crafted for comfort, its grip fitting perfectly into the palm. It bore a striking resemblance to Jin Yue's whip—only stronger, more refined, and infinitely more beautiful.
Miao Miao gasped. "It's… breathtaking."
She turned the box toward Yena. The moment Yena's fingers wrapped around the handle, the weapon pulsed—just for a heartbeat, a flicker of light so brief it could have been imagined.
Jin Yue chuckled, folding his arms. "Well, well. They say kinship runs deep, and it seems the old adage holds true. Uncle, you've just handed your most precious artifact to someone from your homeland."
The Artificer let out a rara, hearty laugh. "Ha! It's not about camaraderie. It's simply that your whip suits you the best—just as this one suits her the best."
Yena tightened her grip on the handle and looked up. "Thank you, sir. I promise to wield this weapon with honor."
The Artificer nodded approvingly. "It is good that you wish to use it wisely. However, this weapon is now in your care. You must link it with your primordial spirit. Its true purpose… is up to you. But I trust you will wield it well."
With that, the conversation reached its end. They stepped out of the hidden room, and after a few parting words, Jin Yue pulled the Artificer into a tight hug.
"Thank you," he murmured.
The Artificer let out a gruff sigh but patted Jin Yue's head lightly. "Just don't bring trouble to my shop again."
They left the Ironwood Artifact House, and as they walked back to the inn, Yena was lost in thought. The artificer's words lingered in her mind. He definitely knows something... She gripped the box tightly, her heart weighed down with questions. Does he know who I really am? Or… does he hold a piece of the past?
"Go gather your things. I'll take care of the payment. We're leaving for Tianlong soon." Without waiting for a response, he headed toward the counter.
Yena subtly signaled to Miao Miao, gesturing for her to fall. At first, Miao Miao was puzzled, but as they neared the stairs, Yena whispered under her breath, "Collapse on me."
Though confused, Miao Miao trusted her and suddenly staggered, letting herself fall.
Yena caught her just in time, steadying her by the arms.
Jin Yue, having just finished paying, rushed over, concern lacing his voice. "What happened?"
Yena sighed. "She must be exhausted. We've been traveling for days, and I don't think she's fully recovered yet."
Without hesitation, Jin Yue scooped Miao Miao into his arms and carried her upstairs. He laid her down gently on the bed before straightening. "I'll find a doctor."
Yena nodded. "That would be best."
As soon as he left, Miao Miao sat up, her expression expectant. "Alright, what's going on? You're going to tell me, right?"
Yena smiled but gently pushed her back down. "Later. Just rest for now, alright?"
Miao Miao pouted but relented.
When Jin Yue returned with the doctor, the physician examined Miao Miao carefully before concluding, "She's fine. Probably just fatigued. Some rest should do." He prescribed medicine for recovery before taking his leave.
Jin Yue turned to Yena. "Take care of her. I'll go get the medicine." And with that, he hurried off.
The moment the door shut behind him, Miao Miao cracked open one eye to make sure he was truly gone before sitting up straight. With a dreamy sigh, she muttered, "He really is a gentleman after all…"
She turned to Yena—only to find her standing by the window, peering outside as if confirming Jin Yue's departure.
Miao Miao frowned slightly but said nothing.
Once Yena was certain he was gone, she turned abruptly. "Miao Miao, I need to step out for a bit. If Jin Yue asks about me, just cover for me, okay?"
Miao Miao tilted her head, curiosity flickering in her eyes, but she simply nodded. "Alright, but you owe me an explanation later."
Yena gave her a small smile before slipping out the door.
Moving swiftly through the dimly lit streets, her mind raced. Soon, she reached her destination—the Ironwood Artifact House.
---------------------------------------------------
Inside, the Master Smith[3] was carefully rearranging artifacts. He turned at the sound of the door, his expression unreadable. After a brief pause, he greeted her with quiet solemnity.
"Welcome, Heiress. I knew you would return. Let's talk inside."
Yena's gaze sharpened, but she gave a short nod. The smith flipped the Closed sign on the door before motioning for her to follow. They stepped into the hidden chamber from before, and Yena wasted no time.
"I don't even know where to begin," she admitted. "But let's start with your greeting... Earlier, you called me 'Heiress'. What do you mean by that? What do you know about me?"
The smith exhaled slowly. "My family has served Fenixia's royal lineage for generations. As a resident of Fenixia, it is my duty to address its rightful heiress by her proper title."
Without hesitation, he knelt on one knee. "At your disposal, Heiress. Forgive me for abandoning my duty."
Yena's breath caught in her throat. No one knew this identity of hers—not even Miao Miao, who only believed her to be half-commoner. A chill ran down her spine as unease coiled in her chest. How does he know…?
"Wh—What are you talking about? I'm not—" The words faltered on her lips.
She let out a slow breath. It was useless to deny it now. Composing herself, she finally spoke. "Please, stand."
The smith obeyed, his gaze steady.
"How do you know my identity?" she pressed. "I think you know more than you're letting on.""
The smith raised both hands in denial. "Like everyone else, I believed Fenixia had no surviving heirs… until I saw you today. You bear a clear resemblance to the royal bloodline—your presence alone confirms your lineage."
He paused, then said something that made Yena's eyes fill with an emotion she couldn't quite name.
"You look a lot like your father, young Heiress."
Yena stared at him, her pulse ringing in her ears. "You're saying I belong to the royal lineage of Fenixian Elementals[4] just because of a resemblance?"
The smith shook his head. "I wasn't certain at first. But when I handed you the Moonstone Whip, I knew. It was meant for you from the very beginning. You haven't fully connected with it yet, but the moment you touched it, there was no doubt—you are its rightful master."
"Meant for me?" Yena whispered.
The smith nodded. "Your father commissioned my father—the royal weaponsmith—to forge it for his heir." He continued, his voice growing softer. "My father once told me that your father was truly happy only once in his life—when he was with your mother. He forged the whip as a symbol of love for their child."
Yena swallowed. Her fingers curled slightly.
"But when your mother died, he was shattered. He returned the Moonstone Whip to my father and told him to give it to someone worthy. However, the whip never accepted a master—because it already had one. You."
She swallowed hard, still processing the revelation. "You knew my mother…?" Her voice was quieter now, her throat tightening. "Do you know anything else about her?"
"I only heard of her. I don't know how she died—I was too young back then. My father never spoke of it in detail. Before his death, he entrusted the whip to me, ensuring it remained safe until the rightful heir claimed it."
Yena's inhaled sharply. "Your father… he died? How?"
The smith's expression darkened. "That… is a mystery to me as well. My entire family was massacred in one night. My older brother managed to save me, but… he died protecting me." His voice lowered. "After that, I fled to Huliya and lived in silence."
Yena clenched her fists "Do you have any clues about their deaths?"
The smith hesitated before answering. "The night before the massacre, my brother confessed that he had done something he shouldn't have. He was guilty, but refused to tell me what it was."
A heavy silence settled between them.
"I'm sorry…" Yena murmured.
The smith shook his head. "Don't be. I tried to investigate, but found nothing—except this."
He turned to an old chest, retrieving a scroll. Carefully unrolling it, he revealed a blueprint of a staff—its intricate design radiating power, yet an ominous presence lingered within its form.
"I believe this staff is connected to my family's massacre," he said gravely.
Yena studied the blueprint, her brows knitting together. "Can I take this with me? It might help me to uncover the truth."
The smith exhaled. "I gave up on finding answers long ago. If you believe you can, then take it."
Yena bowed slightly. "Thank you. And…" she hesitated before continuing, "I have a favor to ask. Please keep my identity a secret. I don't plan on returning to Fenixia yet—there are things I must do first. I can't afford for anyone to find out about me."
"You have my word, Heiress. My loyalty lies with Fenixia's true bloodline—your secret is safe with me."
Yena nodded in gratitude before pulling out the Moonstone Whip from her long sleeves. "One more thing—how do I connect my primordial spirit to this spirit weapon?"
The smith took a deep breath. "Normally, one simply needs to be certain of their intent weapon and meditate with a calm mind to establish a bond. However, your case is different. My father told me that the Moonstone Whip is forged with moonstone—a divine element. It is said to have a will of its own, which is why it was already bound to you from birth. According to legend, it reveals glimpses of the past and future to its true master. Since it has already accepted you, all you need to do is meditate and will the connection into existence."
Yena absorbed his words before settling onto a wooden block. Holding the whip firmly in front of her, she closed her eyes and focused. The world around her faded as she channeled her energy into the weapon.
When she finally opened her eyes, she felt the bond—yet the smith frowned slightly.
Seeing his expression, Yena asked. "What's wrong? You don't seem satisfied with the result."
The smith waved a hand. "No, no… It's just that I thought it would glow after connection. Perhaps I miscalculated. After all, I didn't forge this weapon myself."
Yena tilted her head. "Why did you think it would glow?"
The smith explained, "Lord Sian Yi's Sword of Everflame was also forged by my father using Phoenix Soulflame, a divine element. It was said to glow with an eternal blue flame whenever its master, Sian Yi wielded it. Given that the Moonstone Whip also contains divine energy, I assumed it would react similarly. At the very least, I expected you to experience visions of the past or future—but you weren't affected at all."
Yena considered his words. "Why do you think nothing happened?"
The smith shook his head. "I don't know… Perhaps you cultivation isn't high enough to unlock its full power."
Yena thought carefully. Seeing her expression, the Master Smith quickly added, "I may be wrong, Heiress. It's just speculation…" He studied her closely. "How do you feel?"
Yena flexed her fingers around the whip. "I feel connected to it… but no visions, no strange energy shifts."
The smith exhaled. "I suppose there are things we don't understand. But one thing is certain—the Moonstone Whip has finally returned to its rightful owner. You will learn more about it in time. My apologies, but I may not be able to tell you more than this."
Yena offered a respectful nod. "You have already told me more than enough. I'll take my leave now." She bowed, and the Master Smith returned the gesture deeply before she stepped out of the shop.
---------------------------------------------------
As Yena walked through the darkened streets, her mind was a storm of thoughts.
"How many people were sacrificed in the past? How much blood was shed to keep the truth buried? And yet… not a single trace remains."
A wave of emotions settled over her. "Mother… today, I learned a little more about you."
Lost in thought, she barely realized she had reached the inn. Steeling herself, she slipped inside, moving up the staircase with careful, silent steps—only to freeze at the sound of a voice.
"Trying to sneak in?"
Yena halted mid-step. Slowly, she turned, her gaze locking onto Jin Yue standing at the bottom of the stairs. Arms crossed, eyes sharp, he watched her intently, his expression unreadable.
Her heartbeat quickened.
Caught!
[1] A lineage of master smiths (weaponsmiths) who once served the royal family, forging weapons for Fenixia’s royal army. Once holding a prestigious position in the province of Fenixia, they were believed to have been completely wiped out.
[2] A store specializing in artifacts, heirloom pieces, and weapons crafted from rare and high-quality materials.
[3] A title referring to the Artificer, as he is the last surviving member of the Tang family's lineage.
[4] Early rulers of the provinces were called Elementals. However, the term is now considered outdated. In today's Tianlok, they are simply referred to as rulers, kings, or queens.